This was concluded at Friday’s preliminary conference in Ho Chi Minh City on Project 161 on the development and implementation of the goals laid out by the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community until 2025.

The event aims to highlight ASEAN’s activities and Vietnam’s efforts after joining the bloc while sharing experience in implementing the project to make the most of regional advantages.

According to Nguyen Manh Cuong, Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs, the ASEAN Community was established based on three pillars - Political-Security Community, Economic Community, and Socio-Cultural Community.

Cuong said after joining the bloc, Vietnam has recommended a line-up of initiatives, which are all practical to bolster cooperation and connection within the ASEAN.

Vietnam has accompanied the ASEAN to settle regional complex issues and global challenges which threaten regional and global peace, security and sustainability.

It has fully carried out commitments and agreements to build an ASEAN Community of strength, unity, and connectivity.

According to Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs, the national master plan on ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community has benefited local people as it has been made in companion with improvement in institutional capacity, and reform in administrative procedures.

Therefore, relevant authorities need to increase communications to raise public awareness of the ASEAN and the benefits it has brought, and expand policies on social security, healthcare, and education.

Participants at the event evaluated the implementation of the master plan and Project 161 in Vietnam, updated ASEAN’s media plan and communication works for 2020 when Vietnam holds the ASEAN Chairmanship.